Story Highlights

Call it a generational work ethic, of being instilled at a young age with the true meaning of labor, and the value of putting one's nose to the grindstone in order to get ahead.

Or pin it on the pure love of the job and the passion for doing something that continues to delight.

Whether it's their own business or a profession they've long adored, there are more and more area residents ditching the condo in Florida and days on the golf course to not only work past retirement but way past retirement. Think 80-plus, or close to it.

Daniel Kaplan, 85, of Mamaroneck calls his fellow worker bees "relevant octogenarians," and those living in Westchester and Rockland don't have to look hard to find one. They're dispensing wisdom at a law office, helping customers amidst the aisles of a cluttered bookstore, meeting with designers to find the best fashions, administering holistic medicine in an effort to make others feel good, and teaching ballet to adults.

Needless to say, we "regular" folk, many of whom feel aged simply tackling the traffic on 287, want to know the "secret sauce" for staying on — and staying young. Here's what these "non-retirees" say keep them going.

Why she's not retiring: "I don't believe in retirement unless you have no other choice," says Denzer, who lives in White Plains. "In my opinion, when you retire you lose your enthusiasm and energy. It's like being dead. You don't have a reason to get up in the morning. I love waking up and going somewhere and accomplishing something."

What she loves about working: "Everything. Fashion has always been my first love and I love being immersed in it." She in fact, recently moved her store, which had been at the corner of Maple and Mamaroneck in White Plains for 20 years (and before that on East Post Road for 15 years), to a new location near the Ritz Carlton. And yes, she walks to work every day, about a block and a half. In addition she still does all the buying for the store and travels to Europe three or four times a year.

Secret to staying young: "Without question working keeps me young," she says. "Work is not really like work for me; I'm one of those very fortunate people who found out at a very young age what I wanted to do and I did it. I still derive as much pleasure and enthusiasm from it as I did 40 years ago. And I'm still learning something new every day."

Jack Dunnigan, 79, Nyack

Occupation: Owner, Pickwick Books, Nyack

Years on the job: 39

Work schedule: 10-11 hours a day, six to seven days a week; "When it's your own business you're always working," he says.

Why he's not retiring: "I enjoy what I do."

What he loves about work: "I'm a voracious reader and have always had an interest in books. I also like this village a lot and really enjoy the people," he says.

Secret to staying young: Keeping active. He walks to work each day (he lives upstairs and says stairs are key to keeping him in shape), and also gardens and hikes. He believes the strong work ethic his parents instilled in him — they owned a tavern in Haverstraw for many years and worked long hours — also helps. At the end of the day, though, he says "you're only as good as your health," and "thank God, mine has been good."

Daniel Kaplan, 85

Occupation: Senior counsel, Dorf & Nelson LLP, Rye

How long on this job: One month (formerly president of the 92nd Street Y in NYC; served on their board for 54 years), with various jobs at other law firms, international brokerage companies, nonprofit organizations and charities. "I've been working since 1952," says the former U.S. Navy officer and Mamaroneck resident.

Work schedule: He doesn't have set hours, but generally works 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week, though he admits he often goes home and does more work at night.

Why he's not retiring: Its part of his work ethic and what he's used to. "My outlook about working is very much generational, I think," he explains. "Post World War II, we're almost neurotic about work." He also says the word "work" is unimportant; you're lucky if you love what you do, which he does. "If you're not a golfer or hobbyist, work is a Godsend," he says.

What he loves about work: It's always interesting, he's always learning something new, and it keeps him busy. "If my wife were here, she'd tell you if I wasn't working I'd be a basket case," he says. He also loves the "non-commute" of eight to 10 minutes from home to office as well as the interpersonal relationships that help keep him young and engaged.

Secret to staying young: "Saying yes to any challenge. If you stay relevant, you are relevant," he stresses.

Dr. Jean Shen, 75

Occupation: Acupuncturist

Years on the job: 26 years in her Mamaroneck office on East Post Road but 50 years in total, since graduating from medical school in China. Pre 9/ll Shen had a practice in both Manhattan and Westchester but now practices solely in Mamaroneck. She was the chief medical director of the Department of Medical Oncology at Quing Dao Medical College in China and also worked for many years as a fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute.

Work schedule: Five to six days a week, often seven to eight hours a day.

Why she's not retiring: "My job keeps me going. I like being busy." Indeed, she is a one-woman whirlwind, doing everything in her office from answering the phone (at all hours) to setting appointments to billing and treatment. She is known, too, for dispensing Chinese herbs which she often gives out to long-standing customers at no charge. "I feel good knowing I'm making people feel better," she says. "That's what's important."

What she loves about work: "I love helping people." She specialized in infertility and cancer but also helps clients with back pain, headaches, stress, arthritis and more.

Secret to staying young: "Being happy and being positive. If you work, you still have an income and that makes you happy." She says she derives the most satisfaction out of knowing she has helped changed people's lives, in particular those who now have children they never thought they'd have as well as those who feel less pain and discomfort post-cancer treatments.

Fronda Sobel, 75

Occupation: Group fitness instructor at the JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale; also an adult ballet instructor at Scarsdale Ballet School.

Years on the job: 37 at the JCC (formerly she was the director of the Group Fitness Department for 34 years); she has also been teaching ballet at various locales throughout Westchester for 30 years.

Work schedule: Varies, but generally about 20 hours a week, five days a week.

Why she's not retiring: "I never even thought of it. In the dance and fitness worlds, people can keep going. Plus, I love what I do so why would I give that up?"

Secret to staying young: "Pushing your boundaries; always being open to learning new things." And, of course exercising. "Exercise is the best pill there is," she says as it keeps both mind and body sharp. She also says the way to stay "vital" is to have a positive attitude as well as a child's curiosity. "If you look up the word 'retire' in the dictionary, you get verbage such as 'withdraw from one's occupation; secluded, shut out,' or 'to give up an office; go to bed; withdraw from circulation,'" she says. "Frankly, none of that is good for you."